2020, christmas, decor, decor tips and tricks, seasonal, seasonal decor

24 Days of Christmas: Socially Distant Christmas Activities

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on 24 Days of Christmas: Socially Distant Christmas Activities

This year has been challenging. In addition to figuring out how to work at home, school at home, and entertain two bored kids, we also had to reconfigure all of our holiday plans. Some things we could not change: a good portion of my family lives out of state and we were unable to visit them or gather with them. We have made the best of it via Zoom and FaceTime.

We faced yet another challenge as well- how to entertain ourselves and our kids, but safely. We typically have several Christmas traditions we enjoy, but many of them aren’t possible. We can’t ride the Country Christmas Train at Denton Farm Park and we can’t see Santa, but we can do plenty of other things.

Here is a list of safe and fun ways to celebrate Christmas from a safe distance.

1. Drive through Denton Farm Park and enjoy the Christmas ligjrs

Many of the things we love most about Denton Farm Park are currently closed due to Covid. We can’t ride the train, go into any of the buildings, or ride ponies. You can drive through the park and look at some beautiful lights. You can purchase refreshments and craft items.

And best of all, there is a live nativity at the end of the driving tour.

2. Visit Tanglewood, Festival of Lights

Some features of Tanglewood are currently closed, such as the gift shop and stables, but you can still drive through the park and enjoy the lights.

3. Make delicious treats at home

Make some hot chocolate, some Christmas candies, or decorate some Christmas cookies. Enjoy some sweets in the comfort of your own kitchen.

4. Read or watch Christmas movies

Do you have a favorite Christmas book? A treasured Christmas movie you watch over and over again? Take it out, dust it off and enjoy it. Have a movie marathon in your Christmas jammies.

5. Call or Zoom with your family and friends

These are difficult times and we can’t safely gather. That leads to loneliness and depression for many of us. Call your loved ones and check on one another often. Zoom is a poor substitute for an in-person visit, but it is a safer option, and you can at least see one another.

Stay safe this holiday season!! Please comment below with your favorite socially distant Christmas ideas.

2020, 24 Days of Christmas, christmas, decor, decor tips and tricks, holidays, seasonal, seasonal decor

24 Days of Christmas: Make an Advent Wreath

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on 24 Days of Christmas: Make an Advent Wreath

Edit: this post originally published on December 3, 2020, but due to technical difficulties, the content of the post did not appear. The problem has been fixed.

There are many beautiful and expensive advent wreaths you can buy, but you can make your own easily and simply, from things you already own. Today, I am sharing four lovely and easy advent wreaths you can make.

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This simple and easy advent wreath uses a Bundt cake pan, taper candles and pine cones and greenery. You could make this without much time and effort and it’s so pretty.

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You know how much I love mason jars. This wreath has mason jars and red berries- two of my favorites!

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A pedestal, four candles of varying heights and greenery. Simple and beautiful!

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What’s more Christmas-y than a red berry wreath and red candles to match?

I hope you have enjoyed this roundup! See you again soon!

2020, christmas, holidays, seasonal, seasonal decor

24 Days of Christmas: Our Christmas Home Tour

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on 24 Days of Christmas: Our Christmas Home Tour

Little known fact: my family typically does not decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. This year though, I let the children talk me into decorating in early November. I don’t regret it.

When you step into our front door, you immediately see this table in our entry way.

It features this lovely vignette.

Our mantle is directly across from this table. I absolutely love our mantle this year!

And our main Christmas tree. We bought this thing in an after Christmas clearance sale at Home Depot last year and it not only looks real, but you have the option of colored LED lights or white LED lights.

Our family room tree is small but packed with ornaments that represent life milestones and vacation souvenirs.

Our dining room features our third large tree. This one has musical instruments and ornaments from my childhood.

Our kitchen also is decorated, with this cute little ceramic Christmas tree I found at a local drug store.

Our girls also have their own tiny trees in their rooms.

Our bathrooms both have these pipe shelves and we decorated them, too.

We hope you enjoyed our tour! Tune in next week for our outdoor tour!!

2020, 24 Days of Christmas, budget decorating, cheap decorating, christmas, decor, Free stuff, holidays, printables, thrifty decor

Ten Free Christmas Printables

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Ten Free Christmas Printables

Last year, we were experiencing an extremely busy season, and we opted not to continue our annual December tradition, The 24 Days of Christmas.

24 days of christmas 2020

We will be kicking off our first day of the 24 Days of Christmas with some free printables! We are sharing ten simply cute printables you may download for free and print straight from your own printer. Click on the link to be able to download each of them. Right click on the image, save it to your device, and print it no larger than 8×10. These images are mine, and are not intended for commercial use. You may use them for your own personal uses, but if you share them, please tag me in the post. Thanks!

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  1.  Merry and Bright wreath

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2. O Christmas tree!

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3. O Come Let Us Adore Him wreath

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4. Plain Christmas tree

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5. Star tree

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6. Merry and Bright simple print

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7. Angels We Have Heard On High

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8. Hark the Herald Angels Sing 

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9.Merry Christmas deer print 

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10. Let it be Christmas Everywhere

Hope you all enjoy! Join us tomorrow for a free Christmas planner giveaway!

2019, 24 Days of Christmas, christmas, holidays, photography, seasonal

24 Days of Christmas: the kick-off

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on 24 Days of Christmas: the kick-off

It’s that time again! 24 days of Christmas is upon us. We have taken a break from this series for the past two years but now we are back and I couldn’t be more excited!

Tomorrow is the official first day, but I wanted to pop in today to tell you what we have in store for you. Here’s a little list of what we will be sharing these first 24 days of Christmas:

1. Christmas printables

2. Make an advent wreath

3. Our Christmas Home Tour

4. Socially Distant Christmas Activities

5. Dollar Store Christmas decor

6. Setting a Christmas table

7. Our Christmas mantle

8. Christmas cards and clothing choices

9. Make a Christmas wreath

10. Christmas letterboard ideas

11. Christmas lanterns

12. Placemat pillows

13. Gifts for tweens

14. Christmas cookie recipe

15. Wooden Christmas tree

16. Wood stocking holder

17. Wooden Christmas signs

18. Handmade gift ideas

19. Handmade ornament ideas

20. Creative card displays

21. Christmas crafts for kids

22. Stocking roundup

23. Christmas traditions

24. Candlelight tour

Happy Christmas season! I can’t wait to share all of these wonderful things with you!!